Abstract

Vermicomposting is a non-thermophilic process that transforms organic waste materials into valuable fertilizer through the combined action of worms and mesophilic microbes. The objective of the study was to evaluate vermicompost nutrient composition prepared from different organic materials. The treatments were consisted of four experimental materials such as Teff straw, Haricot bean straw, mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw and combination of green Ricinus communis and Myrica salicifolia leaves.The collected materials were chopped and added to the worm bin of shallow boxes and mixed with decomposed cattle manure in a ratio of 2:1 on weight basis. To digest the selected materials a red worm (Eisenia fetida) was used and the vermi composting process was started by releasing 150 earthworms in to the materials. The harvested vermicomposts from different materials were stored separately and finally the vermicompost nutrient composition quality was analyzed. The laboratory results showed that, the pH value of vermicompost was ranged from 8.21- 8.45 and the values of all type of vermicompost are found in suitable range for survival of earthworms and plant growth. In terms of CEC, the highest 41.43 meq/100gm was recorded in vermicompost prepared from Haricot bean straw followed by mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw (40.72 meq/100gm). The highest 19.03% OC and 32.81% OM were registered in vermicompost made from mixture of Teff and Haricot bean straw. The maximum (1.58%) total nitrogen, 695.97 mg/kg available phosphorus and 12,594.4 mg/kg available potassium was found in Haricot bean straw. Therefore, nutrient composition of vermicompost prepared from different organic materials showed the maximum values of all necessary nutrients for plant growth. Hence, to maintain soil fertility and sustain crop production, farmers of the study area and similar agroecologies could be used for vermicompost preparation based on the availability of vermicompost materials.

Keywords: Evaluation, Organic materials, Nutrient composition, Soil Fertility, Straw, Vermicompost